Stopped by the Drone Police.

[THE CYBORG]

I was happily trying to finish my video of a Neolithic stone circle when a nice little man came along informing me that the site was a National Trust property therefore flying drones is prohibited.

I am now attempting to get permission from the National Trust while offering them a copy of the footage to do with as the please, assuming the grant my request.

 

[Northern_Bob]

Glad there appeared to be no confrontation. Sounds like you handled it well. Your going about it the right way. Fly safe.
NB

 

[BossBob]

Different countries, different rules. The English National Trust is a charity that owns vast tracts of land and properties here in England, (there is similar for Scotland, not sure of Wales) that is intended to mange and protect said land and properties “forever for everyone”, their words. They don’t however allow the public to fly drones over any of their assets unless you pay them a hefty fee even if you fly from a road or footpath. They are backed by act of parliament and can make their own bylaws.
I can see their point when it’s a popular house or garden and the place is heaving with people but they apply their rules blanket fashion so you can be in open country with no one around and still be unable to fly legally.

 

[FatherXmas]

I was happily trying to finish my video of a Neolithic stone circle when a nice little man came along informing me that the site was a National Trust property therefore flying drones is prohibited.

I am now attempting to get permission from the National Trust while offering them a copy of the footage to do with as the please, assuming the grant my request.

Looks like you handled the situation perfectly. Keep us posted on getting permission, I'd love to see your video from there.

 

[zocalo]

No argument on the property vs. open tract of land thing. More nuance in terms of country estates vs. tracts of open countryside with no real fixed structures in would definitely be more in keeping with the "forever for everyone" line. Just stick to the DroneCode with the latter, maybe with exceptions during lambing seasons, etc., and everyone should be happy; even on a still day, it's pretty rare you'll see anyone react when you fly past with over 50m separation.

FWIW, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland fall under the National Trust (NT), Scotland falls under the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). There's a similar setup for some other similar organizations, IIRC, which is basically down to how the Union is structured politically and administratively arising from how they entered the Union.

Pretty sure the NT can't just make their own by-laws, only apply for them, but as a landowner they can make reasonable requests as to what people can/can't do on their land, and over it to a "reasonable" degree regarding privacy and enjoyment of that land. What consitutues "reasonable" isn't precisely defined and would need to be resolved on a case-by-case basis in a civil court as a result of them bringing a civil suit against someone. e.g. there is no altitude stipulated in law above which they have no grounds for a case.

The CAA's view (which they've gone on record with) is that they have the final word on ALL the UK's airspace and as long as an overflight is in compliance with the Drone Code they have no problem with it. Note that this does NOT preclude a landowner such as the NT bringing a civil suit, and you're still going to want a lawyer (and thus incur costs) if they do, it just means it's not a criminal case unless the flight also infringed aviation or other laws.

 

[BossBob]

The NT stance on drones.

 

[The Fat Controller]

Forever for everyone, except members of the public

 

[¬Nomad]

National Trust is a scam, just another way for wealthy Landowners to get charitable money and not pay Tax, on the pretence that it is preserving assets for the greater good...more like for the good of the great

Britain is still nothing but a serfdom in disguise

 

[BossBob]

Forever for everyone, except members of the public

Problem is the no drones rule even applies to their members!

 

[THE CYBORG]

The NT stance on drones.

Not looking promising for me is it ?
Fortunately I have enough video to put something together but I could get better if they let me, getting any shots of the stones that don't include tourists is extremely difficult, the photographs start to arrive before sunrise closely followed by a steady stream of tourists until sunset then the photographers come back.
I don't have anything with the sun on the surrounding mountains to show off the view as the weather never wants to cooperate but I do have plenty mist and fog.

 

[dannybgoode]

Yeah the NT are particularly harsh when it comes to enforcing no flying over their properties.

@zocalo nails it. A flight over private land does not breach any criminal laws but you could end up on the wrong end of a civil suite. The NT have form here as well.

Much of where I like to fly is Peak National Patk land and they too prohibit drones. Again, I take the chance and if I get moved on I just pack up and go.

As always the best way to handle these situations is as you did. Nod, smile and be polite. Good luck in obtaining authorisation - let us know how you get on.

 

[THE CYBORG]

Yeah the NT are particularly harsh when it comes to enforcing no flying over their properties.

@zocalo nails it. A flight over private land does not breach any criminal laws but you could end up on the wrong end of a civil suite. The NT have form here as well.

Much of where I like to fly is Peak National Patk land and they too prohibit drones. Again, I take the chance and if I get moved on I just pack up and go.

As always the best way to handle these situations is as you did. Nod, smile and be polite. Good luck in obtaining authorisation - let us know how you get on.

If I don't get permission (don't think I will )
I will post the final video when I can edit what I have so at least have something to show for all the travelling to and fro.

If I do you will have to wait a little longer because then its up to the sun.

 

[m0j0]

The English National Trust is a charity that owns vast tracts of land and properties here in England, (to) protect said land and properties “forever for everyone”, their words.

They don’t however allow the public to fly drones over any of their assets unless you pay them a hefty fee..

They are backed by act of parliament and can make their own bylaws.

I can see their point........can be in open country with no one around and still be unable to fly legally.

I am going to be nice and say WOW, just wow. So basically they don't answer to the people and can make up their own rules? AWESOME!

So you can fly if you grease their palms.? AWESOME

They can stop you fly flying in open country? AWESOME

 

[m0j0]

National Trust is a scam, just another way for wealthy Landowners to get charitable money and not pay Tax, on the pretence that it is preserving assets for the greater good...more like for the good of the great

Britain is still nothing but a serfdom in disguise

See I said I was going to be nice... I was thinking what you said but it didn't seem like I nice thing to say. So... glad you said it and not me.

 

[4wd]

Yeah the NT are particularly harsh when it comes to enforcing no flying over their properties.

@zocalo nails it. A flight over private land does not breach any criminal laws but you could end up on the wrong end of a civil suite. The NT have form here as well.

Much of where I like to fly is Peak National Patk land and they too prohibit drones. Again, I take the chance and if I get moved on I just pack up and go.

As always the best way to handle these situations is as you did. Nod, smile and be polite. Good luck in obtaining authorisation - let us know how you get on.

Not sure about that, in the UK the National Parks don't own any land to speak of, other than perhaps some car parks and visitor centre if there is one.
The National Trust do own some tracts of land in the National Parks (but most is just normal private owners e.g. farmers ). As mentioned they have no jurisdiction to prevent you over-flying but they can reasonably ban taking off from their locations.
If it's a busy place and/or there is sensitive wildlife this is perfectly reasonable.
Out of season and out of hours you could probably discretely take some footage without any challenge.
Only what will you do with it, posted to youtube some out there seem to take delight in finding things to report!

Any form of commercial use certainly won't be viable.
For example Shutterstock now don't normall accept photos of National Trust or Natural England sites.

 

[THE CYBORG]

I could understand it if it was a stately home or similar but its some stones standing in a field that have stood the test of time for thousands of years, do they think my Mavic could harm them ?

 

[4wd]

National Trust is a scam, just another way for wealthy Landowners to get charitable money and not pay Tax, on the pretence that it is preserving assets for the greater good...more like for the good of the great

Britain is still nothing but a serfdom in disguise

Not sure what you mean here, Landowners can donate landand property, or sometimes leave it in their will, there may be some tax advantage but they don't retain any ownership.
The National Trust are one of the biggest landowners themselves. They operate in a quite commercial way for example farms they have bought or been gifted are rented out at the going rate despite various restrictions.

 

[dannybgoode]

Not sure about that, in the UK the National Parks don't own any land to speak of, other than perhaps some car parks and visitor centre if there is one.
The National Trust do own some tracts of land in the National Parks (but most is just normal private owners e.g. farmers ). As mentioned they have no jurisdiction to prevent you over-flying but they can reasonably ban taking off from their locations.
If it's a busy place and/or there is sensitive wildlife this is perfectly reasonable.
Out of season and out of hours you could probably discretely take some footage without any challenge.
Only what will you do with it, posted to youtube some out there seem to take delight in finding things to report!

Any form of commercial use certainly won't be viable.
For example Shutterstock now don't normall accept photos of National Trust or Natural England sites.

Civil tort of trespass still applies though even to overflying private land. Much in the same way someone can put ‘Private Road -No Turning’ at the end of a long drive or ‘Private Land - Keep Out’. You can drive or walk in such land and not be breaking any laws but you are trespassing.

Enforcement is equally as difficult though, and expensive. The National Trust do come down hard though and I’d rather avoid civil action in the basis I can’t afford it!!

 

[¬Nomad]

"Not sure what you mean here"
4wd, the answer is in your very own comment... "The National Trust are one of the biggest landowners themselves"

Who do you think the National Trust actually is?,..... The Knobs

Protection of the Wealthy-defence of privilege...it's the British way (I am British before you ask)

 

[4wd]

"Not sure what you mean here"
4wd, the answer is in your very own comment... "The National Trust are one of the biggest landowners themselves"

Who do you think the National Trust actually is?,..... The Knobs

Protection of the Wealthy-defence of privilege...it's the British way (I am British before you ask)

It's not realistic to imply private individuals are squireling away wealth by donating to National trust.
The body is tasked with preserving ancient and interesting structures, and minimising the impact of the modern world on landscapes such as woodlands, meadows and wildlife breeding areas such as coastal foreshore.
How they do that can seem over-commercialised and clumsy at times but many of the properties would have been demolished or redeveloped without them.
Maintenace costs of former stately homes are astronomical, even basic heating will be £1000s per week.